A visit typically begins in the very heart of the city: the Sukiennice on the Main Market Square is not only a beautiful gallery of 19th‑century Polish painting but also a perfect starting point for exploring the Old Town. Inside you’ll find a collection that tells the story of Polish art and history of the 19th century, and the Sukiennice terrace offers one of the most iconic views of the Market Square — a great spot for a photo and a short break before further discoveries. This article will help you plan your visit (tickets, hours, how to get there), suggest how to arrange a guided walk, and mention practical things worth having in mind.
The Gallery of Polish Art in the Sukiennice is a branch of the National Museum in Kraków. The exhibition usually operates from Tuesday to Sunday roughly between 10:00 and 18:00; the museum is closed on Mondays, and Tuesday is the day when entry to the permanent exhibitions is free. The last visitors are admitted about 20 minutes before closing, so it’s best to plan your visit earlier in the day.
Remember that Sukiennice combines history, art and a prime location — walking on from the Market Square you can reach most of the Old Town’s highlights on foot: St. Mary’s Basilica, St. Florian’s Gate, Grodzka Street and Wawel are all within a short distance. It’s an excellent place for a first contact with Kraków, especially with a guide who can provide context and interesting anecdotes that are easy to miss on your own.
Ticket prices for the Gallery of Polish Art in the Sukiennice are straightforward: normal, reduced, family and special youth rates. Typical prices are: normal ticket about PLN 35, reduced about PLN 25, family ticket about PLN 70 (up to 4 people, including at least one child up to 16), and youth aged 7–26 often pay a symbolic PLN 1. Tuesdays are free for permanent exhibitions, which can be a great option if your schedule is flexible — but expect larger crowds.
Buying tickets online (the National Museum’s official ticket site) helps you avoid standing in the ticket office line — especially on weekends and on free days. A ticket often includes access to the Sukiennice terrace; check this when you buy because arrangements can change during temporary exhibitions. There is usually an audio guide available in several languages for a small extra fee — a good option if you don’t plan to join a guided tour. Guided tours in Polish and foreign languages are available; the guide service fee is charged in addition to admission tickets.
If you plan to visit several branches of the National Museum, check for multi‑site passes or discounts — sometimes a multi‑branch pass pays off for longer stays in Kraków.
The Sukiennice are right in the middle of the Main Market Square, so you can reach them on foot from most Old Town locations or by tram — lines serving the Market Square include, among others, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 24 and 52; buses also stop nearby on other lines. If you use public transport, remember to buy and validate your ticket — inspections are common. The walk from the main train station to the Market Square is short and pleasant.
On arrival remember to bring proof for any reduced‑price ticket (if you’re using one), comfortable footwear (the cobblestones around Kraków can be uneven), and a bottle of water — visiting in hot weather can be tiring. Amateur photography of the permanent collection is usually allowed without extra lighting or a tripod; if you plan professional photography or using a tripod, check the rules at the ticket office.
If you’re booked for a specific guided tour time, arrive a few minutes early — cloakroom and ticket desk service often ends at the museum’s closing hour.
If you want to get more from the Sukiennice in an engaging way, it’s worth booking a guided walk. A guide brings context to the paintings, tells anecdotes and points out details that printed guides often miss. Guided tours require payment for the guide’s service (fees vary by institution and language) in addition to admission tickets for participants.
Reserve a guided tour before your visit to check availability and any group size limits. For smaller private groups, a private guided tour gives flexibility in pace and topics (suggestions: historical painting, 19th‑century realism, Kraków’s artistic life in that era). Ask the guide about finishing the walk on the Sukiennice terrace or extending the route (for example to the Planty, St. Mary’s Basilica, or Wawel).
If you’d like to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz, her contact and offerings are available through the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com project — private guiding is ideal for those who want personalized routes, themed tours and either a lighter or deeper immersion in the city’s history.
1. Start with a quick visit to the Gallery of Polish Art in the Sukiennice (45–60 minutes) — pick the rooms and paintings you most want to see. 2. Rest on the Sukiennice terrace with a view over the Market Square (10–15 minutes). 3. Take a short stroll along Sienna Street and Grodzka Street toward Wawel — on the way you’ll pass St. Mary’s Basilica (view its exterior or enter if time allows) and quaint townhouses. 4. Finish with coffee or lunch near the Market Square — a good moment to chat with your guide about highlights from the museum. This plan mixes a museum visit with the Old Town atmosphere without being too tiring.
If you have more time, extend the route to the Planty, St. Florian’s Gate and then to Kazimierz — the walk can grow into a half‑day excursion with more museums and culinary stops.
On rainy days adapt pace and priorities — galleries and cafés in the center offer pleasant shelter and shorter routes reduce time spent in wet conditions.
After hours spent on art it’s worth choosing well‑rated places near the Market Square. Popular and traditional options often recommended by both visitors and locals include: Wierzynek (a historic restaurant on the Market Square), Szara (café and restaurant right next to the Market Square) and Pod Aniołami (Old‑Polish atmosphere not far from the Market). If you prefer a quieter café with books, explore small local cafés on Grodzka Street and in nearby side streets.
Always check recent reviews and reserve a table at peak times — restaurants near the Sukiennice fill up, especially on weekends. If you want local food with better value, ask your guide for less touristy addresses in the Old Town area — those recommendations are often the best.
Remember tipping etiquette: in Polish restaurants it’s customary to leave a small tip (about 5–10% of the bill) if service was satisfactory.
Planning your visit for the most popular day (e.g. free Tuesdays) without booking in advance — result: long queues and crowds. Fix: either visit outside Tuesday or buy tickets online and come earlier in the day.
Not checking opening hours or temporary changes due to special exhibitions — the museum may alter hours or temporarily close parts of the permanent display. Fix: check the museum’s official information about hours and exhibitions before you go.
Failing to validate your public‑transport ticket — inspectors operate frequently. Fix: buy and validate your ticket before starting your ride.
The Sukiennice are not only a gallery — they have a long history of trade, reconstructions and cultural events; today the Sukiennice terrace is one of the most picturesque viewpoints in central Kraków.
Many paintings in the Gallery of Polish Art tell not only artistic but also social stories — taking a moment to consider historical contexts makes the works come alive, and a guide can make those connections especially vivid and understandable.
If possible, choose a themed guided tour — some are devoted to single artists or historical threads; this is a way to see the Sukiennice “your way” from a fresh perspective.
Can I access the Sukiennice terrace with a regular ticket? Yes — in most situations terrace access is included with the Gallery of Polish Art ticket, but always confirm when buying your ticket.
Are there discounts for youth and students? Yes — youth aged 7 to 26 often pay a symbolic fee (for example PLN 1) or other reduced rates; students normally receive a reduced ticket upon showing valid ID.
How can I avoid queues? The simplest way: buy your ticket online before coming and arrive in the morning on a non‑weekend day. If you insist on the free Tuesday, be prepared for larger numbers of visitors.
Is photography allowed in the gallery? Amateur photography of the permanent collection is usually permitted without extra lighting or a tripod. For professional shoots or tripod use, consult the staff.
If you want the Sukiennice visit to stay in your memory, plan a guided visit that ties artworks to the city’s context — this makes paintings and places gain meaning and color that’s hard to discover alone.
Share this article with friends or on social media if you think someone else will find it useful. If you’re planning a private guided visit and want to explore Kraków calmly and at a pace tailored to your interests, check the private guiding offer by Małgorzata Kasprowicz at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. We warmly invite you to discover Kraków with us!
